Bombay High Court directs police to reconsider Dr. Mehta's weapon license application

The Bombay High Court has directed the police to reconsider Dr. Cyres K Mehta's application for weapon licenses after he was granted licenses for only one rifle and two pistols, prompting him to approach the High Court. Dr. Mehta, an accomplished shooter, wants to participate in the national championship and had applied for licenses for three rifles/shotguns and five pistols/revolvers. The police granted him licenses only for one rifle and two pistols, citing previous unauthorized firearm sale. The Court noted that the weapon was sold due to malfunction and with police permission.

Condemning the attempt of police officers to mislead the court, the Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Dr. Neela Kedar Gokhale stated, 'We deprecate the conduct of the police officer in instructing Mrs. Shinde of suggesting something which is far from truth, i.e., indirectly suggesting that the petitioner had sold his gun unauthorisedly.' The Court sought assistance from Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf, who stated that Dr. Mehta could re-apply for licenses granted to 'renowned shooters' and increase his ammunition quota.

The category and the event in which he intends to participate would be considered by the authorities, Dr. Saraf told the Court. Advocate Sakshi Chavan, representing Dr. Mehta, agreed to file a fresh application setting out details of the event the shooter intends to participate in. After perusing the application, the Division Bench found no reason to refrain Dr. Mehta from acquiring additional weapon licenses and directed the police authorities to decide his plea by Thursday.

Dr. Mehta told Hindustan Times that he had not heard anything from the police yet regarding his application. 'Earlier too, the Court had issued similar directions, but the police objected to my plea on some grounds. Perhaps, they will inform the Court about their decision on Friday, when a hearing is scheduled,' he said.